Dr. Orville Woolford Clayton passed away on February 24, 2021. He was born on May 30, 1921 to Onley Walker Clayton and Pauline Wheeler Clayton in Fort Payne, Alabama. He was married to his beloved wife, Dorothy Nell Meadows Clayton, “Dot”, for 70 years until her passing at age 93.
An Eagle Scout, and Valedictorian of the Dekalb County High School graduating class of 1939, he earned degrees from the University of Alabama and Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago. A WWll Veteran, he served as 2nd Lieutenant and then Captain in the US Army Medical Corp and later as Post Surgeon at Huntsville Arsenal in Alabama.
In 1952 Dr. Clayton joined Cardio-Thoracic Surgeons P.C. with founder Dr. Charles J. Donald, the first thoracic surgeon in Alabama. Together they performed breakthrough heart and lung surgeries and treated patients throughout the southeast and beyond. Highly regarded as a brilliant and skillful surgeon, one peer once stated “Dr. O.W. probably has more survivors in Alabama who had lung cancer than anybody I can imagine. He did some radical surgeries and he knew what he was doing. He was a pioneer in his field.”
He served as Chief of Surgery at Baptist Montclair Hospital, helping to start one of the first open heart units. He was a member of the American College of surgeons, Society of Thoracic Surgeons as well as other medical associations. He was one of the founding board members of the American Pulmonary Medicine Institute which served to support scholarly research and provide global humanitarian relief. In his honor, the APMI established the Dr. Orville W. Clayton Endowed Medical Scholarship in 2015, benefitting medical students at University of Alabama Birmingham.
Never idle, O.W. was known for his many interests and creative pursuits. Together with his wife Dot, they shared a passion for collecting antiques (opening their own store) art, and working in their yard at home, or at their cabin on Lookout Mountain where they spent much of their time. They loved working with anything wood. There was always something being built, repaired or refinished at the house. Their love for travel would take them around the world, visiting many countries over the years.
An avid coin collector, he also loved collecting arrowheads, stamps and various stones. He always enjoyed baking, and upon retiring added writing and painting to his list of hobbies, often sharing these gifts with others.
He is survived by his son Stephen Woolford Clayton of New Orleans, his daughters Kathy Lee Clayton and Shelley E. Clayton (Brad Hrbek) both of Birmingham, and his grandson, Douglas A. Stockham Jr., along with many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Dot, his sisters, Mary C. Smith and Florence C. Baxter, and brother, A.B. Clayton.
The patriarch of the family, affectionately known as “Wool” or “Uncle Woolie”, he was always there for everyone and often sought for his wise counsel and advice.
A humble, generous, and wonderful man, faithful and committed to his family, O.W. lived a long and fulfilling life.
He will be sorely missed, but always remembered as that boy from the mountain who overcame difficult beginnings to become a distinguished physician, humanitarian, and father.
We want to thank all who have loved and helped care for him including family, friends, neighbors and caregivers.
A graveside service will take place at Glenwood Cemetery, Fort Payne, Alabama on Tuesday, March 23rd at 2:00 in the afternoon. A celebration of life will follow at a later date, to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Mountain Brook Baptist Church, or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are provided by Valley Chapel, Homewood AL.
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